Stay up to date with the latest developments in international education with EdNews! Each month, we bring you essential updates on campus openings, relocations, mergers, new programs, team announcements, promotional opportunities for Edvisor agencies, and all the relevant news in the field of international education. 

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• Heartland Winnipeg launches a new program, English + Volunteer

• 75-Day Countdown Begins to Anglo-Continental's 75th Anniversary!

• UK Updates Child Student Visa Rules: New Safeguarding Measures in Effect

• Creating Home Away from Home: EDA Partners with AHN

• UK student visas drop 10%, but Q1 shows signs of recovery

• Global trends shift: Canada and the USA lose student interest, while Europe gains ground

• Denmark tightens post-study work rules for international students

   

  
  

   

Heartland Winnipeg launches a new program, English + Volunteer

Heartland International English School has introduced a new English + Volunteer Program designed to offer students more than just language learning. It’s a complete cultural and personal development experience.

💬 Program highlights:

• Full-time English classes in a supportive, immersive environment

• Volunteer placements with local non-profits and community organizations

• Real-world use of English while contributing to meaningful causes

• Strong resume value with international experience

• Greater cultural integration and local connection

📍Volunteer placements are tailored to each student’s interests and may include:
community centers, libraries, animal shelters, museums, and more.

The program is open to intermediate and advanced English learners, with:

• 📅 Flexible start dates

• 👥 Small class sizes

• 🧭 Personalized support

This is a great option for students who want to develop their language skills while gaining hands-on experience and making a positive impact during their stay in Canada.

75-Day Countdown Begins to Anglo-Continental's 75th Anniversary!

Anglo-Continental School of English has officially launched the 75-day countdown to its 75th anniversary, marking a major milestone in international English education.

📍Based in Bournemouth, UK, the school is celebrating 75 years of language learning, cultural exchange, and global connections since its founding in 1950.

🗓️ The countdown began on May 24, 2025, and will culminate in the main anniversary celebration on August 7, 2025.

💌 Anglo-Continental is inviting former students, agents, teachers, homestay families, and friends to get involved by sharing memories, stories, and photos. Submissions may be featured on the school’s website, during events, and in commemorative materials.

🌐 Participation is open worldwide via email (75years@anglo-continental.com) or by using #AngloContinental on social media.

This initiative celebrates the school’s long-standing impact on international education and highlights the community that has grown around it over the decades!

Creating Home Away from Home: EDA Partners with AHN

English Direct Australia (EDA) has partnered with Australian Homestay Network (AHN), the largest and most experienced homestay provider in the country. This partnership ensures international students can access safe, supportive, and affordable accommodation while studying in Australia.

AHN’s extensive network of carefully screened hosts, combined with a user-friendly online platform and 24/7 support, guarantees a positive homestay experience. Whether students are arriving for short courses or long-term English programs, AHN helps make the transition smooth and welcoming.

Known for its practical, career-focused English courses and strong student support, EDA creates an inclusive environment where learners can confidently prepare for life and work in Australia.

With this new partnership, accommodation is one less thing to worry about, allowing students to focus fully on their goals.

UK Updates Child Student Visa Rules: New Safeguarding Measures in Effect

From May 29, 2025, new UK Home Office regulations introduce enhanced safeguarding measures for the Child Student Visa route, directly impacting visa applications, guardianship arrangements, and student care expectations.

🔐 Key changes include:

• Nominated guardians (caring for students for less than 28 days or acting as emergency contacts) must now:

  • Be British nationals or hold settled status

  • Submit a letter of undertaking as part of the visa application

  • Meet the same standards as close relatives and private foster carers

• Permitted living arrangements must be declared and include:

  • Full, weekly, or flexi boarding

  • Living with a parent/guardian with appropriate immigration status

  • Living with a foster carer or relative

  • Independent living for students aged 16–17

📝 All visa applications with a nominated guardian must now include a letter of undertaking detailing care and accommodation arrangements. Schools must keep a copy of this letter.

⚠️ Criminal background checks are now stricter:
Applications may be refused if the nominated guardian or any adult in the same household has committed a serious offence or poses a safeguarding risk.

✈️ Schools are expected to collect information on student travel plans and ensure any changes in guardianship or accommodation comply with UKVI rules.

These changes aim to reinforce child protection standards and ensure international students under 18 are placed in safe and properly monitored environments during their studies in the UK.

UK student visas drop 10%, but Q1 shows signs of recovery

The UK has issued 10% fewer student visas this year (403,497 in total), but don’t panic, numbers are still 50% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

🔍 Top source countries:

• 🇨🇳 China remains the #1 source (102,726 visas)

• 🇮🇳 India dropped by 19.6%

• 🇳🇬 Nigeria saw a sharp 40% drop

• 🇵🇰 Pakistan slightly increased

• 🇺🇸 USA grew by 5.1%

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Biggest hit? Dependent visas — down by a whopping 83%, after new rules barred most international Master’s students from bringing family members.

📈 But here’s the good news:
In Q1 2025 alone, there was a +27.7% jump in student visas compared to Q1 2024, thanks to recovering demand from India and Nigeria.

✅ Visa approval rates remain strong — above 90% for all top 5 countries, with China and India above 95%.

⚠️ Heads-up: The UK may soon reduce the post-study work period from 2 years to 18 months, part of efforts to curb net migration, which halved in 2024.

Global trends shift: Canada and the USA lose student interest, while Europe gains ground

A new global survey reveals that visa hurdles and restrictive policies are now the #1 barrier to international student enrolment, overtaking even tuition fees and cost of living.

📉 Big declines for Canada & USA

• 93% of Canadian institutions say visa/policy issues are hurting enrolments

• Master's searches for the US have dropped 54% since Trump took office

• Undergraduate enrolments in Canada dropped 33% in Q1 2025

• Postgraduate numbers fell 31% in Canada, 13% in both the US and Australia

📈 Winners? UK, Europe & Asia

• UK pageviews are up 12%, and enrolments rebounded in Q1

• Student interest is rising in France, Austria, Ireland and Spain (+20–30%)

• Asia’s looking strong too — both in interest and actual enrolment growth

💡 Key insight for agencies:
Students are actively avoiding unstable visa environments. Expect a growing demand for "second-tier" destinations that offer clear policies, affordability and career pathways.

🎯 What’s next for schools?

• 79% of institutions plan to diversify source markets

• Many UK and Canadian universities anticipate cutting or changing programs due to financial pressures

“It’s no longer about the Big Four. It’s about the Big Ten,” says NAFSA’s CEO.

International students are looking for stability, and agencies are key in guiding them there.

Denmark tightens post-study work rules for international students

Starting May 2nd, Denmark has restricted post-study work rights for non-EU students.

🛑 What’s changing?

• Only students enrolled in state-approved higher education programmes can access post-study work or job search permits

• Those in non-approved programmes will no longer be allowed to bring family members

• The new rules apply to all applications submitted from May 2nd, 2025, onwards

🎯 Why this matters for agencies:
If you recruit students for Denmark, make sure their chosen institution is state-approved, otherwise, their post-graduation options will be severely limited.